Golden eagle, common type of eagle, native to North America and to a lesser degree Europe, Russia and North Africa. It nests in cliff caves or lone trees; anywhere that it is able to use keen-sighted vision. Usually it lays between one to four white to brown speckled eggs of which no more than two will survive. Its wingspan may grow up to 2.3m and it has powerful talons which are able to carry off a small sheep. Sheep-killing is in fact a problem and has resulted in the hunting of the eagle. It is also the national emblem of Mexico. Length: 66-100cm. Family Accipitridae; species Aquila chrysaetos.